TJ Rumfield took a mighty swing and watched the ball fly.
“Did he do it? Did he do it?” his teammates shouted. “Oh, he did it!”
A huge grin spread across Rumfield’s face.
Yep, home run to the third deck in right during Friday’s batting practice at Coors Field. A small slice of fun in a season that has the Rockies’ first baseman in the conversation for National League Rookie of the Year.
For most young players, their first season in the majors is a rollercoaster characterized by hot streaks and slumps. But the 26-year-old Rumfield has been remarkably consistent, never going more than three games in a row without a hit.
“I think I’m most proud of my ability to take my results day to day and not read too much into certain days,” the left-handed hitter said. “If I go 0 for 4, or if I go a 3 for something … whatever happens that day, I feel like I can leave it at the yard. I have done a really good job of that this year and not taking it home to my wife (Hayden) and kid (Belle).”
Manager Warren Schaeffer has noticed.
“TJ has the ability to mentally stay the same every day, no matter the environment,” Schaeffer said. “Whether he’s at Coors Field or Dodger Stadium, wherever he is, he has the ability to stay like this.”
Schaeffer extended a steady hand to illustrate his point.
“He’s doing that for the first time in the big leagues, and that just shows me he’s going to be like that his entire career,” Schaeffer continued. “That’s impressive.”
The Rockies have had only one player win Rookie of the Year, starting pitcher Jason Jennings in 2002. But with more than one-third of the season in the books, Rumfield’s qualifications are legitimate.
Entering Saturday’s game against the Giants, he was slashing .279/.356/.442 (.797 OPS) with seven home runs and 27 RBIs. His 15.3% strikeout rate is the lowest on the team, and his 9.0% walk rate ranks second to third baseman Kyle Karros (13.1%). He is hitting .280 (14 for 50) with runners in scoring position, ranking second to Troy’s Johnston’s sizzling .419 average (18 for 43).
“He’s mature, really mature,” outfielder Jake McCarthy said. “His approach at the plate is super-pro. Even when he gets beat, he manages to put the ball in play, see a lot of pitches, and swing at the right pitches.
“I’ve seen him have games where he has O-fers, and then the next day he comes back and has five really good at-bats. That’s a big part of this job. He does not play like a rookie. It’s really impressive.”
Colorado acquired the 6-foot-5, 240-pound Rumfield in a Jan. 28 trade with the Yankees for right-handed reliever Angel Chivilli. Chivilli made two appearances with the Yankees this season but has been on the injured list since April 25 with shoulder discomfort.
The Rockies had hoped that Michael Toglia, their first-round draft choice in 2019 (23rd overall), would be the long-term answer at first base. But Toglia’s exorbitant strikeout rate last season (39.2%) forced the Rockies to cut him loose.
When the Rockies traded for Rumfield, they hoped to get a player who would battle for the starting job at first base and fill in as a designated hitter. Rumfield has exceeded expectations.
“There is a real sense of timing and a consistent approach that stands out even more than the numbers,” general manager Josh Byrnes said. “He’s an adjustable, creative hitter. He can face a righty with this kind of arsenal, and righty with that kind of arsenal. Ahead in the count, behind in the count, whatever tweaks you have to make as a hitter, he makes. He has quite a few clubs in his bag and has multiple ways to conduct an at-bat. That’s rare for a rookie.”
Rumfield’s minor-league numbers were strong, but he was blocked in the Bronx by Ben Rice, who has become a star at first base.
Last season, at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Rumfield had an .825 OPS with 16 home runs. He was ranked as the No. 22 prospect in the Yankees’ farm system. What Rumfield needed was a chance.
“I think you have to consider him a rookie-of-the-year candidate,” said Kyle Freeland, Colorado’s veteran left-hander. “He’s playing great defense at first base, and he’s been hitting the ball at a very consistent rate, all the way from spring training until now.”
Freeland agreed with McCarthy’s take that Rumfield conducts himself like a veteran, not a rookie.
“We see stuff in the clubhouse, behind the scenes, that the fans and the media don’t see,” Freeland said. “But I see him go about his day-to-day business like a true pro. If he has a bad game at the plate, he doesn’t dwell on it, and doesn’t try to make up for it the next day. He just goes out and tries to help the team win anyway he can. He’s done a good job of grasping that.”
According to Schaeffer, Rumfield’s solid defense is sometimes overlooked. Schaeffer has a point. Entering Saturday night’s game, Rumfield had a 1.000% fielding percentage, committing zero errors in 360 total chances at first.
“We don’t talk about it much, but his defense has been really, really good,” Schaeffer said. “He’s saving errors for guys, making really tough plays over there. He’s got good hands. Good hands on a big man.”
Awards season is a long way off, and Rumfield faces robust competition for Rookie of the Year, including Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt, Reds first baseman Sal Stewart, Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin, and Nationals right-hander Foster Griffin. But if Rumfield stays his consistent course — and adds some more power, something he’s quite capable of — he’ll be in the running.
Rumfield credits Schaeffer for much of his success this season.
“I’m playing free because ‘Schaeff’ has shown confidence in my abilities and trusted me, and that’s huge,” Rumfield said. “This game is so hard. I know we have two-thirds of the season left, and it’s going to be a day-to-day grind. My job is to stay on top of my craft and try to develop a game plan that can help this team win.”
Rumfield’s Rookie Resume
Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield is making a case for National League rookie of the year. A snapshot of his season:
• 55 hits: Leads the Rockies and ranks second among all major league rookies, (first in the NL)
• .281 average: Second in the majors
• 27 RBIs: Fifth in the majors
• 17 extra-base hits: Tied for fifth in the majors
• .807 OPS: Tied for fourth in the majors
Note: Through games of Friday, May 29.
Source: Colorado Rockies
